Birdfeeder and seed dispenser therefor

Abstract

A birdseed dispenser and birdfeeder incorporating the same are provided. The dispenser has a base assembly mounted to a first opening formed in the sidewall of the birdseed reservoir, including a front plate having a second opening formed therein, a flange extending around the second opening and projecting away from the front plate, and an end wall supported by the flange such that the flange and end wall together define a chamber. The dispenser also includes an apertured piece received in the chamber having a first seed aperture of a first configuration and a second seed aperture of a different configuration. The apertured piece is moveable between a first orientation, which places the first seed aperture in a seed accessible state permitting birds access to the seed, and a second orientation to place the second seed aperture in the seed accessible state.

1. A dispenser adapted to access and dispense birdseed from a birdfeeder that has a birdseed reservoir with a sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface, comprising:
 (A) a base assembly mounted to an opening in the sidewall of said reservoir, said base assembly including
 (1) a front plate having an opening formed therein; 
 (2) a flange extending around the opening and projecting away from said front plate; and 
 (3) an end wall supported by said flange such that said flange and said end wall together define a chamber, said end wall having an access opening formed therethrough; and 
 
 (B) an apertured piece received in said chamber and including
 (1) a first seed aperture of a first configuration; and 
 (2) a second seed aperture of a second configuration that is different from that of the first configuration; and 
 (3) wherein said apertured piece is moveable relative to said base piece between
 (a) a first orientation wherein said first seed aperture is oriented in a seed accessible state so as to provide access to the bird seed; and 
 (b) a second orientation wherein said second seed aperture is in the seed accessible state. 
 
 
 
   
   
     2. A dispenser according to  claim 1  wherein said base assembly includes a plurality of resilient prongs operative to releasably secure said base assembly to said sidewall. 
   
   
     3. A dispenser according to  claim 1  wherein said base assembly includes a perch. 
   
   
     4. A dispenser according to  claim 1  wherein said front plate confronts the outer surface of the birdseed reservoir sidewall and surrounds the opening formed therein. 
   
   
     5. A dispenser according to  claim 1  wherein the access opening is in fluid communication with the first seed aperture when said apertured piece is in the first orientation and wherein access to the birdseed via the second seed aperture is obstructed by said end wall. 
   
   
     6. A dispenser according to  claim 1  wherein the access opening is in fluid communication with the second seed aperture when said apertured piece is in the second orientation and wherein access to the birdseed via the first seed aperture is obstructed by said end wall. 
   
   
     7. A dispenser according to  claim 1  wherein the first configuration is adapted to dispense thistle birdseed from the reservoir. 
   
   
     8. A dispenser according to  claim 1  wherein the second configuration is adapted to dispense mixed birdseed from the reservoir. 
   
   
     9. A dispenser according to  claim 1  wherein said apertured piece is a dial that is rotatably disposed in the chamber. 
   
   
     10. A dispenser according to  claim 1  including a spacer interposed between said end wall and said apertured piece and adapted to separate at least a portion of said apertured piece from said end wall. 
   
   
     11. A dispenser according to  claim 10  wherein said spacer is an undulating wire. 
   
   
     12. A dispenser according to  claim 11  wherein said end wall has a groove formed therein that is sized and adapted to receive at least a portion of said wire so as to retain said wire in place. 
   
   
     13. A dispenser adapted to access and dispense birdseed from a birdfeeder that has a birdseed reservoir with a sidewall having an outer surface and an inner surface, comprising:
 (A) a base piece mounted to an opening in the sidewall of said reservoir; 
 (B) an end piece coupled to said base piece and including a wall having an access opening formed therethrough that is in fluid communication with the opening; 
 (C) an apertured piece supported by said base piece at a location proximate to said wall of said end piece and including
 (1) a first seed aperture of a first configuration; and 
 (2) a second seed aperture of a second configuration that is different from that of the first configuration; and 
 (3) wherein said apertured piece is moveable relative to said base piece between
 (a) a first orientation wherein said first seed aperture is in fluid communication with the access opening; and 
 (b) a second orientation wherein said second seed aperture is in fluid communication with the access opening; and 
 
 
 (D) a spacer interposed between said end piece and said apertured piece. 
 
   
   
     14. A dispenser according to  claim 13  wherein said base piece includes a flange extending around the opening and projecting into the birdseed reservoir. 
   
   
     15. A dispenser according to  claim 14  wherein said flange includes a plurality of spaced apart tab members. 
   
   
     16. A dispenser according to  claim 15  wherein said end piece includes a plurality of spaced apart tab slots adapted to receive said tab members in a snap-fit engagement. 
   
   
     17. A dispenser according to  claim 13  wherein said base piece includes a prong operative to mount said base piece to said sidewall of the birdseed reservoir. 
   
   
     18. A dispenser according to  claim 13  wherein said base piece includes a front plate formed as an integral part thereof that is adapted to surround the opening and confront the outer surface of said birdseed reservoir sidewall. 
   
   
     19. A dispenser according to  claim 13  wherein
 (A) the first configuration is adapted to dispense thistle birdseed from the reservoir; and 
 (B) the second configuration is adapted to dispense mixed birdseed from the reservoir. 
 
   
   
     20. A dispenser according to  claim 13  wherein said base piece and said end piece together form a chamber sized and adapted to receive said apertured piece therein. 
   
   
     21. A dispenser according to  claim 13  wherein said apertured piece is a dial that is rotatabably disposed in the chamber. 
   
   
     22. A dispenser according to  claim 13  wherein said wall of said end piece has a groove formed therein that is sized and adapted to receive a portion of said spacer thereby to restrain movement thereof. 
   
   
     23. A dispenser according to  claim 13  wherein said spacer is an undulating wire. 
   
   
     24. A birdfeeder adapted to be supported in spaced relation to a support surface and to provide birdseed to birds, comprising:
 (A) a birdseed reservoir with a surrounding sidewall adapted to receive the birdseed therein, said sidewall having an opening formed therethrough; and 
 (B) a seed dispenser mounted to the opening in said sidewall and adapted to dispense the birdseed to the birds and including
 (1) a base assembly mounted to an opening in the sidewall of said reservoir, said base assembly including
 (a) a front plate having an opening formed therein; 
 (b) a flange extending around the opening and projecting away from said front plate; and 
 (c) an end wall supported by said flange such that said flange and said end wall together define a chamber, said end wall having an access opening formed therethrough; and 
 
 (2) an apertured piece received in said chamber and including
 (a) a first seed aperture of a first configuration; and 
 (b) a second seed aperture of a second configuration that is different from that of the first configuration; and 
 (c) wherein said apertured piece is moveable relative to said base piece between
 (i) a first orientation wherein said first seed aperture is oriented in a seed accessible state so as to provide access to the bird seed; and 
 (ii) a second orientation wherein said second seed aperture is in the seed accessible state. 
 
 
 
 
   
   
     25. A birdfeeder according to  claim 24  wherein said end wall is fixedly attached to said flange in a snap-fit engagement. 
   
   
     26. A birdfeeder according to  claim 24  wherein said base assembly includes a plurality of resilient prongs operative to releasably secure said base assembly to said sidewall. 
   
   
     27. A birdfeeder according to  claim 24  wherein said front plate confronts the outer surface of the birdseed reservoir sidewall and surrounds the opening formed therein. 
   
   
     28. A birdfeeder according to  claim 24  wherein said apertured piece is a dial that is rotatably disposed in the chamber. 
   
   
     29. A birdfeeder according to  claim 24  wherein the access opening is in fluid communication with the first seed aperture when said apertured piece is in the first orientation and wherein access to the birdseed via the second seed aperture is obstructed by said end wall. 
   
   
     30. A birdfeeder according to  claim 24  wherein the access opening is in fluid communication with the second seed aperture when said apertured piece is in the second orientation and wherein access to the birdseed via the first seed aperture is obstructed by said end wall. 
   
   
     31. A birdfeeder according to  claim 24  wherein the first configuration is adapted to dispense thistle birdseed from the reservoir. 
   
   
     32. A birdfeeder dispenser according to  claim 24  wherein the second configuration is adapted to dispense mixed birdseed from the reservoir. 
   
   
     33. A birdfeeder according to  claim 24  including a spacer interposed between said end wall and said apertured piece and adapted to separate at least a portion of said apertured piece from said end wall. 
   
   
     34. A birdfeeder according to  claim 33  wherein said spacer is an undulating wire. 
   
   
     35. A birdfeeder according to  claim 24  including a plurality of openings formed in said sidewall of said birdseed reservoir and including a plurality of seed dispensers mounted thereto.